10 July, 2017
Volker will "coordinate all State Department efforts to bring a resolution to the conflict created when Russian Federation invaded Crimea and later eastern Ukraine", Tillerson spokesman R.C. Hammond told Bloomberg.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst told VOA on Friday that Tillerson should make it clear of "U.S. strong support for Ukraine sovereignty and territorial integrity, U.S. recognition that Russian Federation is conducting a war in Ukraine, and U.S. willingness to provide necessary support".
USA sanctions imposed after Russian Federation annexed the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine in 2014 extend into the energy sector.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said that the war in eastern Ukraine was "planned and launched from Moscow", reports Ukrainian media.
Speaking after his meeting with Ukraine's Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman, Guterres said within the scope of his authority, he will do anything to support Ukraine's territorial integrity and independence.
"Ukraine is not for having it postponed", he added.
The US is disappointed that the Minsk agreement has failed to produce more progress in resolving the conflict on the ground, he said. Russian Federation meets about a quarter of Europe's natural gas needs, though more than half of that runs through Soviet-era pipelines in Ukraine.
The US has been seeking to play a more active role in collaboration with the so-called Normandy Format of nations - Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France - that have been conducting negotiations to seek peace in eastern Ukraine.
According to a senior state Department official, Tillerson during the visit will present to the Ukrainian President his view of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation rules state that aspiring members must "settle their global disputes by peaceful means", meaning Ukraine would need to resolve the Donbass conflict - an insurgency by pro-Russian forces - that has so far killed more than 10,000 people. Under President Barack Obama's administration, the USA had taken a hands-off approach to Minsk, allowing the Europeans to take the lead. "That's why the keys to a peaceful settlement are in Moscow".
Speaking to a group of reform advocates at the United States ambassador's residence, Tillerson praised Ukraine's progress in combating corruption but made clear that more must be accomplished.
"In all candidness, we did not expect an answer other than the one we received", he said Sunday.
"Ukraine has come a long way", he said.
